ISSN:
1569-8041
Keywords:
BCL-2
;
follicular lymphoma
;
minimal residual disease
;
PCR
;
prognostic factors
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Background:We have observed that molecular response, as definedby a PCR-negative status during the first year of therapy, along withβ2–microglobulin (β2M), was the most important variable associatedwith failure-free survival (FFS) in follicular lymphoma (FL). Herein, wepresent an update of the previously published MDACC series. Patients and methods:A total of 116 patients (male : female ratio64 : 52; median age: 52 years) with indolent FL andBCL-2rearrangement (at MBRor mcrbreakpoints) assessablein peripheral blood (pb) by PCR prior to treatment, and with two or more PCRdeterminations during the first year, were selected for the present study. Results:Of the 116 patients, 4 who presented with progression and1 who died of unrelated causes during the first year were excluded from thelandmark analysis. One hundred patients (86%) achieved clinical CR and80 (69%) achieved a negative PCR status within first year. Median FFSwas 6.4 years. Five-year FFS was 73% and 28% for molecularresponders and nonresponders, respectively (P = 0.001). In spite ofthis strikingly higher FFS favoring molecular responders, no clear-cutplateauwas evident in this group. Molecular response assessed in pb(P = 0.001) and serum β2M (P 〈 0.001) were the mostimportant factors to predict FFS in the multivariate analysis. In the subsetof patients with normal β2M and molecular CR, there was a trend for aplateau in the FFS curve. No significant difference between the groups hasbeen observed so far in terms of survival. Conclusions:Molecular response assessed in pb using a PCRtechnique is, along with β2M, the most important factor to predict FFS inFL.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1008369623425
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